Today is a bloody good day! Spartacus manuscript reaches 100k words (only 30k or so – a month’s writing to go).
Editor very happy with manuscript. Publisher agrees proposal for Spartacus Book Two.
Then to cap it all, the very first copy of Hannibal: Enemy of Rome arrived in the post!
Cue day off, and beer later…
16 Comments
Now thats a photo for the album Ben, sword looks great as does the shield…and the book, cant wait for my copy…so dont dilly dally when they come out get to toppings and sign sign sign…LOL.
All the best for the latest book, may they always sell more than the last.
nice! just wondering are those real and if so how much do they weigh?
@Parmenion: thanks! It’ll be in Asda for Father’s Day anyway, and more orders coming in…
@irishwit77/Cody: the book is real! The sword and shield are real , yes, and are based on real archaeological finds. The sword is a Republican gladius, much longer than most people are used to seeing on TV/film – 2.5 ft of steel. It weighs about 3-3.5 lbs. The shield weighs more – I’d estimate 6-8 lbs.
Bootifil! 🙂
I can’t wait to read the book! One question though, I am in America and I was wondering when the book comes out over here.
haha well i assumed the book was real. or at least i would hope so. wow though. i expected the sword and shield to be heavier.
Congratulations, Ben! You must feel like pinching yourself now and then- it’s not that long since you put out “Forgotten Legion” and now look where you are 🙂
Carting round one of those shields would do you in after a while, wouldn’t it? I’ve just been reading “The Carthaginian”, by Ronald Bassett, written in 1963 when macho historical adventure was all the go (a bit like now, really :)). Anyway, it covers the three years from 149 BC when Carthage was under siege and fighting its final battle to the death. By the end the defenders are so weakened by malnutrition and disease that they have to throw aside their shields because they no longer have the strength to hold them. Good story; fast-paced, plenty of action, not too old-fashioned in style. I’d never heard of it- found it at a boot-sale!
@Philip: welcome to my website! I have no idea when the book comes out in the States yet, other than it will be sometime in 2012…
@Irishwit77: Well, my scutum weighs about 13-14lbs, but the caetra is much smaller. I need to weigh it to be sure, but as I said, it feels about 6-8 lbs.
@annis: yes, it’s been quite a ride since The Forgotten Legion was released in 2008!
One would have to be superfit to carry all the gear around, but the caetrati had an “easier” time than legionaries. Not only were their shields smaller and lighter, but they wore very little or no armour. Given that a mail shirt weighs 10 kg (22 lbs) approx, that would have made marching a lot easier.
The Carthaginian sounds good – thanks for the mention!
@Philip: I live in New Zealand and impatience gets the better of me because it’s often a long wait before books by my favourite authors make it onto the bookshelves here. I get round it by ordering from Book Depository, who send me stuff as soon as it’s published and without charging postage! (the usual killer for buyers living a long distance from Britain)
Here’s a link to Ben’s “Hannibal, Enemy of Rome” at BD if you’re interested:
http://www.bookdepository.com/Hannibal-Enemy-Rome-Ben-Kane/9781848092273
@Ben: just curious, but do you have the same issue with a US Kindle version of HEOR as you do with “Road to Rome”?
@Annis: not sure – I think so. However, it isn’t coming out in the US until 2013 (because of Spartacus) so I’d say that issue will be solved by then. Need to check that, however. Ditto Spartacus…
thanks Annis! I’ll be sure to give that a try!
Just logged in and saw this great news ,really looking forward to another great read
@weetam: Thanks! Glad you’re all ready…
Thanks too for your recommendation and link to Those About to Die, by Daniel Mannix. I’ve not read it, but will be sure to now.